Method of washing and centrifuging



y 1957 M. KAHN 353205624 METHOD OF WASHING AND cmrmmmms Original Filed Jan. 26, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. LEO M KAI/N A 7' TOPNE' Y May 23, 1967 L. M. KAHN 3,320,624

METHOD OFWASHING AND CENTRIFUGTNG Original Filed Jan. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

LEO M. KAH/I ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,320,624 METHOD OF WASHING AND CENTRIFUGING Leo M. Kahn, 8646 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11209 Continuation of application Ser. No. 86,249, Jan. 26, 1961. This application July 24, 1964, Ser. No. 385,835 2 Claims. (Cl. 8-159) This application is a continuation of Us. application, Ser. No. 86,249, filed Ian. 26, 1961.

This invention relates to washing and cleaning machines for laundry or the like. While the present application involves the washing step, it is particularly directed to a damp drying system where the extraction of the washing or other cleaning liquid from the clothing is effected through high speed rotation of a cylinder which is perforated to permit the centrifugal extraction of the liquid cleaning medium.

In accordance with this invention, a relatively flat or narrow disc-like cylinder is driven at a tumbling speed during the washing phase by rotation of the cylinder on its axis of cylindrical configuration as represented by its trunnions and is thereafter rotated at high speed on a vertical axis for the liquid extracting phase. In other words, the cylinder is rotated on its trunnions for the washing operation while it is effectively twirled for the drying or extracting operation.

In the extracting operation, a most important step is my method of balancing the loaded cylinder. It is of course well understood that the balancing of a cylinder is of utmost importance in increasing the extraction speed and thereby decreasing the drying time.

According to this invention, after the clothes have been cleaned, I permit the loaded cylinder to swing freely on its axial trunnions so that it tends to assume a natural gravitational static balance. The cylinder is then locked in such balance-d position against rotation about its horizontal axis while the clothes rest by gravity on the bottom of the cylinder Where they are in a balanced position for the extracting operation. In the extracting phase, the cylinder is twirled rapidly about a vertical axis to centrifugally extract the liquid cleaning medium. My method of permitting the cylinder to first swing freely and then locking it in a state of gravitational balance, maintains the cylinder in a well balanced state and thereby permits the cylinder to be twirled more rapidly so as to eject the liquid cleaning medium from the clothes to a greater degree than formerly.

However, I have found that what is apparently a proper gravitational balance at first, becomes a relative imbalance after high speed twirling has been instituted. The reason therefore is that the centrifugal force generated by the twirling action re-distributes the clothes and affects the static balance theretofore achieved. In dealing with this changed situation I have observed that after moderate high speed twirling, i.e. about 100 r.p.m., has been instituted, the clothes which have been re-distributed by the centrifugal force, will substantially always remain in such redistributed condition by spreading and clinging against the walls of the cylinder. Accordingly, I then change the locked balance by releasing the lock and permitting the cylinder to swing or oscillate on its bearings so as to find the new static, gravitational balance. I then lock the cylinder again in this second position. At such time, it will be found that satisfactory final balance has been achieved and the cylinder may then be rotated at extremely high speeds, e.g., over 1000 r.p.m while being in such satisfactory balance as to avoid excessive vibration.

It will further be noted that a substantially fiat or narrow cylinder, actuated as above set forth, is of great Patented May 23,, 1967 advantage in the extracting phase because the clothes are thereby closely confined around the vertical axis and their center of gravity becomes more coincident with the center of gravity of the cylinder. This, of course, adds to the state of balance and permits higher twirling speeds.

In a sound embodiment of the invention, I disclose the same system outlined above but wherein the cylinder, which is perforated to eject the washing medium by centrifugal force, is twirled in the extracting phase together with a shell which catches the extracted liquid. This is of advantage in conserving wash water since, if the cylinder were required to be twirled relative to the shell, it would require too large a shell or tub and accordingly would require too much of a washing or cleaning medium. Further, the entire washing and drying operations take place in the same structure.

The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational, largely diagrammatic view, showing the cylinder as used in the washing phase.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view largely schematic and partly in section and illustrating one embodiment of the invention, the cylinder being shown in the extracting phase.

FIGURE 3 is a side view thereof in elevation with parts broken away to show construction.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the achievement of a static gravitational balance in the loaded cylinder.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the line 5-5- of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment.

I FIGURE 7 is a front view, partly broken away, ofthe modified embodiment of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view showing one modification of the rotating cylinder.

FIGURE 9 is also a fragmentary view illustrating a further modification of the rotating cylinder.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the perforated cylinder 15 is shown in the washing stage. Cylinder 15 is provided with a peripherally disposed loading hinged door 16. In order to somewhat assure the normal disposition of the door 16 at the top of the cylinder, an artificial weight 17 of about two pounds may be secured to the cylinder diametrically opposite to the door 16.

Cylinder 15 is a relatively or substantially flat or narrow disc-like cylinder. For example, its width may be 12 inches while its diameter will be approximately double that i.e. 24 inches or more. .It is provided with axial trunnions 18 in hubs 19*. Trunnions 18 represent the axis of cylindrical configuration as will be evident. They are made fast to the side walls of the cylinder through hubs 19 so that the cylinder may swing freely, in pendulum fashion, on the trunnions 18 when suitably supported thereby. i

A yoke or fork 20 supports the cylinder through its trunnions 18, such trunnions merely resting in a semicircular cut-out at the top of the fork arms on which a latch may be provided as will be hereinafter shown. An

It will be understood that clothes are loaded into the cylinder through the door 16 while wash water and soap or other cleaning medium is poured into the tub 21. When the water reaches a certain level, the cylinder 1s rotated along its horizontal axis, i.e., its above mentioned axis of cylindrical configuration and the clothes are tumbled about until they have been suitably cleaned. It is understood that the usual inner ribs may be provided for this washing operation. Generally, the cylinder is rotated at about 30 or 40 r.p.m. with the ribs periodically lifting and dropping the clothes. In order to provide such slow speed rotation, I show, strictly as an example, an electric motor 24 whose shaft 25 is maintained in bearing 26 and which actuates a rubber roller 27 which in turn frictionally drives the cylinder 15. Of course, other means of rotation may be employed.

It will be observed that cylinder 15, since it is disposed in the semi-circular upper cut-outs of arms 20 may be simply lifted out of such cut-outs together with the wash clothes in order to transfer the cylinder to the extracting machine. Since this invention is directed primarily to the extracting machine, I have not emphasized the washing details. Any means of picking up the loaded cylinder may be employed such as by wrapping a chain around the trunnions 1'8 and simply lifting it out of its fork support with a pu-lleyor the like.

The cylinder .15 is then transferred to the extracting structure 30 as shown in FIGURE 2. Extracting structure 30 comprises a foundation or base 31, a high speed electric motor 32, a belt 33 and a shaft 34 driven thereby. Shaft 34 goes through central opening 35 of the base 31 and is connected to a heavy washer 36 and made fast to the yoke or fork 37 which is of the same general dimensions as the yoke 20 used in the washing operation.

As will be hereinafter noted, the cylinder is twirled to extract the wash water. Accordingly, the yoke 37 will tend to vibrate upon any condition of unbalance. Hole 35 is large enough to accommodate any oscillation of shaft 34 while rubber bumper 40 tends to limit any such oscillation. During such oscillation, the washer 36 will slide upon the top surface of base 31 but may be fabricated of phosphur bronze or the like so as to slide without ex' cessive friction. In any event, it will always cover the opening 35 so as to discourage, as much as possible, the flow of stray water therethrough.

Secured to the upper surface of base 3.1 is the shell or tub 41 which is stationary and of SlllTlClClllZ size to permit the twirling of cylinder 15. Tub 41 is provided with a hinged door 42 to provide manual balancing controls as will be noted hereinafter.

The arms of yoke 37 are provided with hinged latches 43 so that when the trunnions 18 have been deposited in the yoke arm cut-outs, the latches 43 may be closed so as to secure the trunnions in respect to the yoke arms as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Cylinder 15, when rest-ing on the yoke arms 37, will tend to oscillate freely like a pendulum until a static gravitational balance is achieved. Generally, the clothes will be diametrically opposite the door 16 because of the presence of weight 17. Referring to FIGURE 4, it is noted that if the bulk of the clothes '45 is disposed along a side of the cylinder, the cylinder will tend to rotate in the direction of arrow 46 a distance from broken line 47 to broken line 48. The swingable suspension of the cylinder permits such a balance to be achieved.

At this time, I lock the cylinder in respect to the yoke arms 37 which twirl it for the extracting phase. Side 50 of cylinder 15 is provided with a semicircular toothed rack 51 which may be engaged by a dog 52 controlled by an eccentric handle 53. Spring means may be employed in housing 54 for normally maintaining dog 52 out of contact with rack 51. When it is desired to lock the cylinder at any angular position, handle 53 is pushed down so as to urge dog 52 forwardly and into engagement with rack 51.

Another type of locking means that may be employed could consist of coacting rnovable collars; a brake band;

or clutch means operating from around the driven shaft and effecting a locking action of the cylinder and shell.

This invention is practiced in the following manner:

After the clothes have been washed as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the cylinder 15 is transferred to the yoke, 37 and latched therein. Dog v52 is out of engagement with the rack so that the cylinder will swing or oscillate angularly until it reaches a static gravitational balance. It is, of course, loaded with dripping wet washed clothes. After the cylinder comes to rest, it is locked in its balanced position by means of the dog 52 and the rack 51. Motor 32 is then started and the cylinder 15 is then twirled rapidly along a vertical axis which is normal to its axis of cylindrical configuration. Thus, the yoke 37 and the cylinder 15 are both twirled rapidly on a vertical axis with its said cylindrical axis in a horizontal plane. Any water which is ejected through the perforations of cylinder 15 is caught by the shell'or tub 41 and drained through bottom pipes 60, or by centrifugal force in an upward direction, or in a downward direction.

As above observed, the very act of twirling upsets the first static balance heretofore achieved. Accordingly, I limit the preliminary twirling speed to about r.p.m. for about 15 seconds or more'depending upon the diameter of the cylinder and the final speed necessary, since this is sufficient to produce a somewhat fixed redistribution of the clothes. In other words, after about 100 r.p.m. the clothes tend to bunch up against the sides of the cylinder and remain plastered or clinging thereagainst even when the cylinder slows down. Of course, the above speed and time may be increased or otherwise varied if desired.

I then allow the cylinder to come to rest again and I also disengage the dog 52 through the shell door 42. After the cylinder moves about its trunnions and reaches its new position of static balance, I again lock the dog 52 to the rack 51. At this time, the cylinder may be twirled I to much higher speeds, i.e., approaching ,or over 1000 r.p.m. and without generating such excessive vibration as would make the machine impractical.

It may further be observed that the sides of the cylinder \1'5, in their extremely high speeds of twirling, produce considerable air turbulence within the shell or tub 41 and cylinder 15 which contribute to the speed of drying.

As a modification to the above procedure, it is not strictly necessary to lock the cylinder for the preliminary twirling step since the speed thereof is very limited and accordingly vibration will generally not be excessive. Thus, it may be run up to about 100 r.p.m.without having been statically balanced as above described. Thereafter, it will be finally balanced and locked.

When the clothes are in their rest position on the bottom of the narrow cylinder, any horizontal cross-section through the mass of clothes will be rectangular (as will be obvious from FIGURE 5), the clothes being thus urged by the cylinder walls. The dimensions of the rectangle will depend upon the height of the mass. When the mass is at least a few inches above the floor, the usual case, the rectangle has two sides (the sides formed by the cylinder side walls) shorter spaced than the remaining sides (the periphery of the cylinder), the rectangle being elongated. This tends to confine the mass closely and form a center of gravity of the loaded or partly loaded cylinder since such shorter spaced sides naturally have more influence than the longer spacer sides in compacting the mass close to such center of gravity which is in the position of the axis rotation, before the spinning cycle is started.

When the spinning is initiated, the clothes have a natural tendency caused by centrifugal force to move toward the respective peripheries of the cylinder away from the axis of rotation because of the larger area between the peripheries of the cylinder.

, In the event that the outer side walls of the cylinder are too far apart or where the cylinder is substantially of spherical shape, then the foregoing phenomenon would not take place, because the bulk of the clothes would not be permitted to move in the proper direction to provide the necessary static balance.

This is readily obvious, because otherwise, the clothes could be thrown by centrifugal force in different directions approximately 360 degrees.

In FIGURE 6 I show the above principle applied to a modified structure which permits washing and extracting in the same structure and which further conserves the amount of cleaning medium required. In FIGURE 6 cylinder assumes substantially the same form as in the previous embodiment. It is rotatably or swingably supported by its trunnions 18 in both shell 70 and the arms of yoke 71. Trunnions 18 extend through the shell side walls so that the shell 70 rotates and twirls together with the cylinder 15. Cylinder 15 and shell 41 may be locked in respect to the yoke 71 which twirls it, by means of a similar locking mechanism 72 which substantially duplicates the locking mechanism described in connection with the foregoing embodiment.

Inasmuch as cylinder 15 should be rotated on its axial trunnions 18 for the washing operation, I show a motor 73 with a clutch comprising a keyed slideable collar 74 having a reduced square driving end 75 which enters a complementary slot in one of the trunnions 18 in which position it may be tightened by set screw 74a. It is to be understood that such driving of the cylinder 15 is purely diagrammatic and may be efifected in any one of the numerous conventional ways. Cylinder 15 after having been loaded, and the cleaning materials having been poured into shell 70 up to the required level, cylinder 15 is rotated horizontally on its trunnions 18 at about to r.p.m. for the washing period.

At the termination of the washing period, drain pipes 76, which were closed for the washing operation, are opened by suitable valve structures. It will be observed that I employ at least two valve controlled outlet pipes 76 at opposite sides of the vertical axis of shell or tub 70 so as not to unduly unbalance the structure.

After the washing operation, I go through the same steps as above recited, i.e., I first preliminarily lock the cylinder 15 in a balanced position through the lock '72, twirl it through vertical shaft 77 at about 100 rpm, let it again come to rest, and re-lock it in the clothes redistributed state. Of course, at this time, collar 74 is withdrawn so as to disengage the trunnion 18 and permit twirling of the composite structure.

It will be noted that no door is required for manual access to the locking mechanism 72. The reason therefore, is that visual inspection of the cylinder 15 is not necessary. When all restraints are released, the cylinder 15 naturally swings to a positon of gravitational balance and after a few seconds, the cylinder 15 may be locked through locking mechanism 72 with the knowledge that gravitational balance has been achieved.

Inasmuch as shell 70 twirls together with cylinder 15, it is not necessary to provide an unduly large shell which would be necessary if cylinder 15 were rotating relative to shell 70. On the contrary shell 70 is flatter than it is high and thus complements the dimensions of the cylinder. This permits less water or other cleaning me dium to be employed during the washing operation. A catch pan 78 drains off liquid from the shell 70. During high speed extraction, liquid extracted from the clothes will be thrown into shell 70 where centrifugal force may maintain the liquid against the walls of the shell. However, a load of wet clothes generally while holding a considerable amount of liquid, there will be more than enough clearance between the cylinder and the shell to keep such liquid from re-entering the cylinder. Of course, when the cylinder and shell slow down, such liquid will drain through pipes 76 into catch pan 78.

Whereas I have described the steps of washing clothes, preliminarily locking the cylinder, running it up to a limited twirling speed, stopping the cylinder, re-locking it in balanced position, instituting higher speeds, etc., it is understood that a conventional means of performing these steps automatically as by a timing cycle, may be employed. Further, the cylinder could assume other forms, e.g. a box-like container of which all the sides are flat.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 8, wherein there is disclosed a modification of the cylinder in which the side walls are curved outwardly yet not approaching the shape of a sphere.

In FIGURE 9, a further modification is illustrated wherein the side walls of the cylinder are curved inwardly.

There has been shown what is now considered a preferred embodiment of the invention but it is obvious that changes and omissions may be made without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of extracting liquid from clothes which comprises: permitting a perforated disc-like horizontal cylinder containing said clothes to swing freely about its horizontal axis so as to achieve a static balance, said cylinder having a diameter at least twice its altitude; locking said cylinder to prevent further swinging about said axis; rotating said cylinder at an intermediate speed about a vertical axis, said vertical axis being normal to said horizontal axis and between the bases of said cylinder; said intermediate speed being suflicient to move at least a portion of said clothing away from said vertical axis; discontinuing said rotation; unlocking of said cylinder so as to permit further swinging about said horizontal axis, so as to achieve a static balance; again locking said cylinder to prevent further rotation about said axis; and again rotating said cylinder about said vertical axis at a speed greater than said intermediate speed, thereby extracting said liquid from said clothing.

2. A method of cleaning clothes which comprises: Washing said clothes in a perforated disc-like horizontal cylinder by rotation about the horizontal axis of said cylinder in the presence of a liquid washing medium, said cylinder having a diameter at least twice of its altitude; discontinuing said rotation about said horizontal axis; permitting said cylinder and clothing therein to achieve a static balance by freely swinging about said horizontal axis; locking said cylinder to prevent further swinging about said axis; rotating said cylinder at an intermediate speed about a vertical axis, said vertical axis being normal to said horizontal axis and between the bases of said cylinder, said intermediate speed being sufiicient to move at least a portion of said clothing away from said vertical axis; discontinuing said rotation; unlocking said cylinder so as to permit further swinging about said horizontal axis, so as to achieve a static balance; again locking said cylinder to prevent further swinging; and again rotating said cylinder about said vertical axis at a speed greater than said intermediate speed, thereby extracting said liquid from said clothing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,648 4/1944 Berry 6825 2,559,708 7/1951 Calhoun 6825 2,760,639 8/1956 Haverstock 6824 X 2,836,046 5/1958 Smith 68-24 FOREIGN PATENTS 455,418 2/1928 Germany. 504,622 8/1930- Germany.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF EXTRACTING LIQUID FROM CLOTHES WHICH COMPRISES: PERMITTING A PERFORATED DISC-LIKE HORIZONTAL CYLINDER CONTAINING SAID CLOTHES TO SWING FREELY ABOUT ITS HORIZONTAL AXIS SO AS TO ACHIEVE A STATIC BALANCE, SAID CYLINDER HAVING A DIAMETER AT LEAST TWICE ITS ALTITUDE; LOCKING SAID CYLINDER TO PREVENT FURTHER SWINGING ABOUT SAID AXIS; ROTATING SAID CYLINDER AT AN INTERMEDIATE SPEED ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, SAID VERTICAL AXIS BEING NORMAL TO SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS AND BETWEEN THE BASES OF SAID CYLINDER; SAID INTERMEDIATE SPEED BEING SUFFICIENT TO MOVE AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CLOTHING AWAY FROM SAID VERTICAL AXIS; DISCONTINUING SAID ROTATION; UNLOCKING OF SAID CYLINDER SO AS TO PERMIT FURTHER SWINGING ABOUT SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS, SO AS TO ACHIEVE A STATIC BALANCE; AGAIN LOCKING SAID CYLINDER TO PREVENT FURTHER ROTATION ABOUT SAID AXIS; AND AGAIN ROTATING SAID CYLINDER ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS AT A SPEED GREATER THAN SAID INTERMEDIATE SPEED, THEREBY EXTRACTING SAID LIQUID FROM SAID CLOTHING. 